Informal portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) George Alan Vasey, 4th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB), ...

Informal portrait of Lieutenant (Lt) George Alan Vasey, 4th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB), probably taken at Tura Camp, Egypt. A professional soldier from Kew, Victoria, Lt Vasey embarked with the 11th Battery from Melbourne on HMAT Wiltshire on 18 November 1918. He later transferred to the 22nd FAB with the rank of Captain and was appointed adjutant. He then transferred to the 11th Infantry Battalion as Brigade Major and was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). Continuing to serve between the Wars, he attested for the AIF out the outbreak of the Second World War with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Later promoted to Colonel, he served in the Middle East with the 6th Australian Division and was awarded Commander of the British Empire, the Greek Military Cross (1st Class) and a Bar to his DSO. On his return to Australia, he was promoted to Major General and went on to command the 7th Australian Division in New Guinea. Following this he was awarded Companion of the Bath and the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross. Suffering from poly neuritis, he was medically discharged on 30 October 1944. He later recovered sufficiently to be appointed commander of the 6th Division. Whilst flying to take up his appointment, his aircraft crashed into the sea near Cairns. His body was recovered and interred in the Cairns Cemetery. His son, VX141121 Sergeant George Halbert Vasey, also served during the Second World War and his wife, Jessie, went on to found the War Widow's Guild.